Manchester United's Wayne Rooney banned for swearing

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been handed a two-match ban by the The FA after he swore into the cameraman during Manchester United's 4-2 win at West Ham United.

Rooney's celebration after scoring his hat-trick included running to the corner and shouting the f-word into the sky camera and it resulted in a massive furor throughout the weekend. Though the player apologized in a statement shortly after the incident, the Football Association's surge for more discipline in football will include Rooney's charge.

The FA statement said, The FA has charged Manchester United's Wayne Rooney for the use of offensive, insulting and / or abusive language. This charge relates to an incident during his side's fixture with West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 2 April 2011.

Rooney has until 18.00 BST on April 5 to respond to the charge. The two-match ban will include the weekend tie against Fulham and importantly the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City the following Saturday.

In statement released after the game, Rooney apologised and said, I want to apologise for any offence that may have been caused by my goal celebration, especially any parents or children that were watching. Emotions were running high, and on reflection my heat-of-the-moment reaction was inappropriate. It was not aimed at anyone in particular.